Human Bocavirus infection among children with respiratory tract infection in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background. Human Bocavirus (HBoV), which is an ssDNA virus of the family Parvoviridae, is responsible for 21.5 % of childhood respiratory tract infections (RTIs) annually. Among the four genotypes currently known, HBoV-1 has been associated with acute RTI. Although there have been studies on HBoV in some countries, there is limited information on this virus in sub-Saharan Africa where there is the highest burden of RTI. This study aimed to characterize the circulating strains of HBoV in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from 333 children ≤5 years old presenting with RTI attending hospitals in Ibadan, whose parents assented, from 2014 to 2015. Twenty-three HBoV isolates were sequenced after a nested PCR and phylogenetic analysis was carried out using mega 6 software. Results. A total of 27 children tested positive for the HBoV-1 genotype by PCR and 23 of the 27 isolates were successfully sequenced. The 23 HBoV-1 isolates from this study have been assigned GenBank accession numbers KY701984–KY702006. Phylogram analysis indicated that the isolates belong to the same clades. Six isolates aligned closely to the reference strains ST1 and ST2, while 17 isolates showed a high level of divergence to the reference isolates. Conclusion. This study highlights the contribution of HBoV to RTIs in Nigeria and that HBoV-1 strains are associated with the infection.

Human Bocavirus in Childhood: A True Respiratory Pathogen or a “Passenger” Virus? A Comprehensive Review

“…Several clinical studies have identified HBoV1 as one of the most detected respiratory viruses in young children with RTIs and, as with other respiratory viruses, it is widespread in both low- and high-income countries [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Most studies showed a higher prevalence in males [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ], others did not find any sex predominance [ 10 ], and a few showed a slightly higher prevalence among females [ 3 , 11 , 12 ].…”

“…It was first identified by Allander in 2005 in 17 respiratory samples from children suffering from acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs) of suspected viral origin in Sweden [ 2 ]. Since 2009, other strains of the virus have been detected: HBoV2, HBoV3, and HBoV4 [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

The Characteristics of Respiratory Bocavirus Infection in Acutely Sick Children Admitted to a Tertiary Hospital in Jordan

“…2 In industrialized and developing nations, bocavirus 1 has been linked to childhood RTIs, some of which have resulted in severe bronchopneumonia and bronchiolitis. 2 In 40%-75% of patients, bocavirus has been frequently found with other respiratory viruses or infections. 2 The role of bocavirus as a true respiratory pathogen has been disputed due to this viral codetection.…”

“…2 In 40%-75% of patients, bocavirus has been frequently found with other respiratory viruses or infections. 2 The role of bocavirus as a true respiratory pathogen has been disputed due to this viral codetection. However, new data have supported the evidence of considering it as a respiratory pathogen.…”

“…1 Annually, 21.5% of childhood RTIs have been connected to the human bocavirus. 2 In industrialized and developing nations, bocavirus 1 has been linked to childhood RTIs, some of which have resulted in severe bronchopneumonia and bronchiolitis. 2 In 40%-75% of patients, bocavirus has been frequently found with other respiratory viruses or infections.…”